ZAMBIA: Archbishop Mpundu Bids Farewell to Lusaka Archdiocese
Most Rev. Telesphore Mpundu, Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka bids farewell to the diocese
Lusaka Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator and Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu has bade farewell to Lusaka Archdiocese after serving for 14 years. In his farewell message, Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu prayed that peace, love and joy may continue prevailing among the people of Zambia.
Archbishop Mpundu said it is important that love prevails because it is the only way that the country will continue being at peace at all times.He said he is retiring a happy man because he has lived to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus and has since thanked the faithful of Lusaka Archdiocese for giving him the necessary support.
He was speaking during a thanks-giving mass in honour of his service to God as Archbishop, at the Cathedral of Child Jesus in Lusaka on Saturday, 7th April, 2018. Archbishop Mpundu will on Saturday 14th April, 2018 officially install his successor Archbishop-elect Rt. Rev. Dr. Alick Banda.
Speaking during the same occasion, President Edgar Lungu said the Church belongs to every citizen of the nation hence the need to take a leading role in preaching peace. President Lungu who noted that there is need for strong commitment for all the political players in the country to the dialogue, has since implored Archbishop Mpundu to ensure that the dialogue process with all political parties is looked into before he hands over the office on 14th, April, 2018.
The Head of State told the Church that the peace process should not be left to the political parties alone saying the Church has the capacity to bring the country together and ensure that peace and joy is sustained.
There is a pending inter party dialogue in Zambia to discuss a time-bound, constructive dialogue that will culminate in a roadmap to some political reforms ahead of the 2021 general elections.This was necessitated after Zambia experienced pre and post electoral violence following the county’s 2016 polls.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has since appointed Nigerian Professor Ibrahim Gambari as her Special Envoy for political dialogue to address issues of common interest ahead of future elections in the country.
Retired Archbishop Mpundu knelt down before prostrating in gratitude to God and for the support he received from the people of God as their leader and Shepherd for 46yrs as a priest, Bishop and Archbishop.
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By Mwenya Mukuka, ZCCB Communications Officer
